Blackhawks showing they can keep puck out of net as well as put it in, lead Kings 1-0

Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter shoots, but is unable to score past a defensive wall of Chicago Blackhawks' Michal Rozsival (32) Corey Crawford and Duncan Keith, during the third period of Game 1 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs in Chicago. The Blackhawks' defense is playing a key role in this postseason run as the Kings found out how hard it is to score on the defending Stanley Cup champions. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
(The Associated Press)

Sure, the Chicago Blackhawks have a bunch of veteran forwards who have a history of clutch goals.

Scoring against the defending champions isn't easy, either.

The Los Angeles Kings found out just how difficult it can be during Sunday's 3-1 loss in Game 1 of the Western Conference final, whether they were being stopped by goalie Corey Crawford or blocked by one of his teammates. The best-of-seven series continues Wednesday in Chicago.

Kings coach Darryl Sutter says his team had "a lot of good opportunities" and credited Crawford after another big performance.

But it wasn't just the guy in net. Other players stepped up for the Blackhawks.